Etihad Airways concludes five-day celebration for Saudi National Day

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Etihad Airways marked this year’s Saudi National Day with a special Year of Zayed A380 flight between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah.

The aircraft was
deployed on flight EY311 from Abu Dhabi to Jeddah yesterday as the lead highlight
in the airline’s five-day Saudi National Day celebrations.

The A380 was welcomed
by a traditional water cannon salute followed by a customary display of the
Saudi and UAE flags from the cockpit windows.

In a fitting tribute to
the special bond between the two countries, the flight crew operating the
aircraft included Captain Ahmed Almalood, Emirati, and Senior First Officer Wesam
Sameer Al Najjar, the first Saudi National A380 pilot in the world.

Etihad Airways Senior
First Officer Wesam Sameer Al Najjar said: “Being the youngest Saudi National
to pilot the A380 is a huge honour to me and my country. I am proud to be a
part of this special day and to be greeted by a water salute in my home country
on National Day.”

Etihad’s five-day
celebrations reinforced the company’s commitment to the Saudi Arabian market,
with further collaborations with Saudi organisations to be announced in the
coming months.